Elapse time recorder

ABSTRACT

A method of, and apparatus for ascertaining time worked on stamped or punched cards wherein markings are made on the card at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of the time worked, the later marking being displaced from the earlier one by a distance which is a directly measurable function of the time elapsed.

United States Patent Karl Rutsche Bedastrasse 44, Gossau, Switzerland832,1 88

June 11, 1969 Oct. 5, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented ELAPSE TIMERECORDER 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 346/86, 346/95 Int. Cl G07e 1/08 Field of Search 346/60, 86, 83,82,104,], 95

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,286,902 6/1942 Deane et a1 Q.346/86 2,389,345 11/1945 Dell et a1. 346/86 3,109,088 10/1963 Lyner346/60 X 3,241,151 3/1966 Logic et al. 346/60 X Primary ExaminerJosephW. l-lartary AtlorneyFlynn & F rishauf ABSTRACT: A method of, andapparatus for ascertaining time worked on stamped or punched cardswherein markings are made on the card at the beginning and at the end,respectively, of the time worked, the later marking being displaced fromthe earlier one by a distance which is a directly measurable function ofthe time elapsed.

PATENTEDIUBT 5 [9n SHEET 1 [1F 2 INVIiN'IUR.

ELAPSE TIME RECORDER The invention relates to a method of and apparatusfor ascertaining time worked or a period to be ascertained on stamped orpunched cards.

In previously known stamping clocks for ascertaining time worked,usually a first stamp imprint is made at the commencement of work and asecond stamp imprint is made beside or beneath the first at the end ofwork. The calculation of the actual time worked for purposes of wagesmust then be done by hand, in each separate case, since automatedascertaining of the data of such stamp imprints is either impossible orextremely expensive.

It is a first object of the present invention to simplify the evaluationof stamped or punched cards by being adapted to be inserted intomechanical or electrical evaluating machines.

Another object of the invention relates to a method of ascertaining timeon stamped or punched cards, comprising making markings on said card atthe beginning and at the end of a period, and displacing the latermarking relative to the first marking so that the space between them isproportional to the time which has elapsed.

A further object of the invention relates to an apparatus comprisingmeans for making markings on a card at the beginning and at the end,respectively, of time worked, and means for displacing the later markingrelative to the first marking so that the space between them isproportional to the time which has elapsed.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an apparatus for ascertaining time worked on stamped or punchedcards comprising conveying members for carrying out a relativedisplacement between a card-receiving member and a marking head indirect dependence on time such that the distance between adjacentmarkings on a line gives a direct measure of the time to be ascertained,and advancing members for moving the stamped or punched card in adirection at right angles to the direction of the said relativedisplacement.

Yet an additional object of the invention pertains to an apparatus inwhich time worked or other periods are applied to a punched or stampedcard in such a form that rapid mechanical evaluation is possible withoutthe card format becoming too large or the consumption of cards beingsubstantially greater than in conventional systems, and without makingoperation by staff more difficult.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention become apparentby reference to the following detailed description and drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the apparatus without casing;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed sectional view from the left side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the apparatus in the direction of arrow A ofFIG. 1.

The apparatus to be described below for ascertaining time worked or acertain period on stamped or punched cards is located in an apparatushousing 45 which is shown in FIG. 1, and in which a clock is enclosed.The basic construction of the stamping device and of the partscooperating therewith is moreover the same as that of conventionalconstructions.

The present invention differs from conventional constructions, however,in that a card hopper l is displaced in direct dependence upon time. Thehorizontal displacement of the hopper 1 takes place by means of athreaded spindle 2, which engages in a bearing support or a flap 3projecting from the card hopper 1. The threaded spindle 2 is rotatablysupported at both ends by walls 4 of the housing. The threaded spindle 2is arranged to be driven by an electric motor 5. The motor 5 ispreferably formed as a polarized step-by-step switching mechanism, whichcarries out half a rotation of a rotor at each pole change. This rotarymovement, having been reduced by gear means, is then transmitted to thethreaded spindle 2. Such impulses or pole'chauges are emitted forinstance every displacement of the card hopper 1 takes place. It wouldhowever also be possible to provide a constantly running synchronousmotor the rotation of which is conveyed, greatly reduced, to thethreaded spindle 2. Thus, through the rotation of the motor 5 theretakes place a displacement of the card hopper l in one or otherhorizontal direction relative to the stationary housing.

The card hopper l itself has a frame 6, in which there is a slot 11 forreceiving a punched or stamped card 7. This slot 11 is so formed thatthe card 7 has substantially no play, but is held in the frame 6 so asit falls by the own weight. When the card 7 is inserted into the slot 11it cooperates at the bottom with a sliding carriage 8 for limiting thedipping distance of the cards and which is formed so as to be adjustablein height and has lateral side legs which are guided on the outside ofthe frame 6. In the horizontal rail 8 of the sliding carriage there is alongitudinal slot 9, in which there engages a pin 10 of an angle lever12 having slight play. Thus the card hopper 1 can be laterally displacedby the threaded spindle 2 without hindrance by the pin 10.

For adjusting the height of the sliding carriage 8 and for restrictingthe depth of insertion of the card 7 there is provided an adjustingmechanism. For this purpose a lever 53 is pivotably supported by thesliding carriage 8. This lever 53 is right-angled and the outer end ofwhich is cooperating with a pivotally mounted vertical bar 52. Amicroswitch I6 is actuated by this bar 52. A pinion 17, which is drivenby a stepwise actuated mechanism 36-42 or a motor, engages in thetoothed rod 15. Upon rotation of the pinion 17 the right-angle rail 14which is connected with the lever 12 is displacing the sliding carriage8 in height, so that the card 7 can be pushed a greater or lesserdistance into the card hopper l.

The motor 43 is also a step-by-step motor which carries out half arotation of its rotor each time an impulse is received. The rotor ofthis motor is connected with a cam 41 with two flat radial portions 42.A lever 35 is pivotally mounted by a pin 39 on the wall 4 and cooperateswith the cam 41. A nose 36 of the lever 35 is engaging a ratchet wheel37 and is moving this wheel 37 step-by-step. A nonreturn finger 38 ispreventing the wheel 37 to rotate in the opposite direction. The wheel37 is fixed on the shaft 51 which is supporting the pinion 17.

At the opposite end of the lever 35 a spring 40 is connected, whichtends to urge the lever against the cam.

in the upper region of the frame there is a marking head 20, which makespossible both punching of the card 7 and the making of a colored imprintthereupon. A type wheel 21 (FIG. 3) effecting the imprint is connectedto a mechanism 22 driven by a synchronous motor 48 and a rod 49 andproduces an imprint via an imprinting rubber stopper 34 and a color band23, when a hammer 27 is moved from the rear side of the card in thedirection of the arrow B. On the hammer 27 there is further secured apunch stamp 25, which can be caused to cooperated with a suitably formedaperture in a matrix 26. The hammer 27 is connected to a right-anglelever 30 via an arm 24. The connection is made by a bolt 28, whichengages in a hole in the right-angle lever 30, which itself is pivotableabout a bolt 31 mounted in the housing. At the other end of theright-angle lever 30 there is a push rod 29, which cooperates with anelectromagnet 33, so that when the electromagnet is excited a hole ispunched and simultaneously an imprint is made on the card 7 by the typewheel. The imprint and the hole are closely superimposed. The hammer 27and the marking head 20 are stationary, in relation to the housing,whereas the card hopper l in FIG. 4 is displaceable at right angles tothe plane of the sheet.

Thus when a card 7 is located in the hopper l and the electromagnet 33is energized, a perforation is made in the card at a position determinedby the height of the right-angle rail 8 and the lateral position of theframe 6 relative to the marking head 20.

The distance between first and second perforations thus gives a directand proportional measure of the time which has minute by a master clock,so that every minute a slight lateral machine.

The operation of this apparatus is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the frame 6 is in the starting position, so thatwhen a hole is made it will be positioned close to the left-hand edge ofa card 7. When an employee arrives, at the beginning of work, the card 7is pushed into the hopper 1 from above, it being assumed that thesliding carriage 8 has been previously located in its lowermostposition. When the bottom edge of the card 7 encounters the lever 53, itwill be pivoted somewhat about the bolt 54, whereby the vertical bar istilted and the microswitch 16 is actuated and the circuit of theelectromagnet 33 is closed. Thus a hole is punched in the card 7 by thestamp 25 by way of the push rod 32, the right-angle lever 30 and thehammer 27. Simultaneously an imprinting of the type wheel 21 takes placeon the card 7, since the hammer 27 presses on the card by way of therubber stopper 34 and the color band 23. The card 7 is then removed.

The motor receives one pulse per minute from a master clock or otherpulse emitter, so that it carries out a predetermined rotation each timeand thus displaces the hopper l. Preferably, the motor is formed as adirect current step motor, which carries out a half rotation when thepoles are reversed. The master clock is so formed that after each pulsethe poles are reversed. Through this step-by-step rotation of the motor5, and thus of the spindle 2, which is purely dependent upon time, thehopper l is displaced in a lateral direction. When the card 7 is againinserted in the hopper 1 after a certain time has elapsed, e.g. at theend of work or at the end of a certain period, a further punching takesplace in a similar manner. This is spaced from the first hole in thehorizontal directioni.e. lying on the same line-by a certain distance,which is in direct proportion to the time which has elapsed. Thisdistance can be mechanically evaluated in a machine or apparatus. Whenthe end position of displacement has been reached on the right-handside, the motor 43 is caused to rotate by means of a switching membernot shown, so that it rotates the cam 41 in a stepwise manner. Thus thesliding carriage 8 is moved a certain distance, i.e. one line upwards.It is advantageous for the motor 43 to be of similar construction tothat of the step motor 5. When after this card 7 is again inserted intothe hopper l, the new punched hole and the new imprint are made one linehigher up, since the card 7 cannot be pushed in as far as before. Whenthe sliding carriage 8 has been lifted up one line, the movement of thehopper 1 takes place in the opposite direction, so that a zigzag path isdescribed. In this way, it is possible to establish the daily timeworked for two weeks on a conventional punched card with the usualdimensions of approximately 3 8 inches.

Instead of a zigzag displacement of the card 7, it would also bepossible, by means not shown, when the right-angle rail 8 has beenlifted up one line, to provide for a rapid return of the hopper into theleft-hand starting position, so that the new line will again begin atthe left-hand edge.

It would also be possible, by means not shown, to arrange for the hopperto be stationary and to allow the marking head with the punchingarrangement to move along the card in dependence upon time or tosubstitute the lateral adjustment for the height adjustment and viceversa, so that a line would thus run in the vertical direction insteadof in the horizontal direction.

It would further be possible to substitute a toothed rod for thethreaded spindle 2, and a threaded spindle for the toothed rod 15.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for ascertaining time elapsed, or worked, or anotherperiod, on stamped or punched cards having means for making markings onsaid card at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of the timeperiod, and means for displacing the later marking relative to the firstmarking, so that the space between two predetermined markings is ananalog of elapsed time, said apparatus comprising an electricallyoperated marking head (20);

a card-receiving member (I) having means (8) locating the verticalposition of the card (7) with respect to the marking head (20);

a motor (5) a spindle (1) connected to said motor, said spindle beingconnected to said card-receiving member and effecting relativedisplacement of the card-receiving member in a horizontal direction withrespect to the marking head;

means (l5, l7) stepwise adjusting the position of said vertical positionlocating means (8) with respect to said marking head (20);

card presence-sensing means (53) located adjacent the bottom of saidcard-receiving member and sensing insertion of a card (7 and switchmeans (16) operated by said sensing means (53) said switch means (16)being connected to said marking head (20) and causing impression of amark on the card spaced by a horizontal distance determined byelapsedtime as measured by rotation of said spindle and hence relativehorizontal displacement of the card-receiving member and the markingmeans, and having a vertical location controlled by the stepwiseposition of said vertical position-locating means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20) includesa hole-punching device and at least one type wheel for imprinting timeindicia.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20) includesa punch and matrix formed with a punchreceiving opening to provideaccurate positioning of a hole being punched in the card.

4. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the means stepwise adjustingthe position of said vertical position-locating means comprises atoothed rod (8) connected to an advancing said locating means in avertical direction;

a pinion;

and a ratchet interruptedly operating said pinion.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20) carriesa hole matrix;

a punching stamp cooperating with said hole matrix for punching saidcard, and electromagnetic means operated by said switch;

and a mechanical interconnection interconnecting said electromagneticmeans and said punch.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means locating thevertical position of said card in said card holder comprises ahorizontal rail (8) mounted for vertical displacement;

and said means stepwise displacing said rail comprises a motor;

cam means driven by said motor, pivotally mounted lever meanscooperating with said cam means, a ratchet engaged by said lever meansand a rack and pinion means driven by said ratchet in stepwise mannerand connected to said rail to advance said rail, in steps, in a verticaldirection.

1. Apparatus for ascertaining time elapsed, or worked, or anotherperiod, on stamped or punched cards having means for making markings onsaid card at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of the timeperiod, and means for displacing the later marking relative to the firstmarking, so that the space between two predetermined markings is ananalog of elapsed time, said apparatus comprising an electricallyoperated marking head (20); a card-receiving member (1) having means (8)locating the vertical position of the card (7) with respect to themarking head (20); a motor (5); a spindle (2) connected to said motor,said spindle being connected to said card-receiving member and effectingrelative displacement of the card-receiving member in a horizontaldirection with respect to the marking head; means (15, 17) stepwiseadjusting the position of said vertical position locating means (8) withrespect to said marking head (20); card presence-sensing means (53)located adjacent the bottom of said card-receiving member and sensinginsertion of a card (7); and switch means (16) operated by said sensingmeans (53) said switch means (16) being connected to said marking head(20) and causing impression of a mark on the card spaced by a horizontaldistance determined by elapsed time as measured by rotation of saidspindle and hence relative horizontal displacement of the card-receivingmember and the marking means, and having a vertical location controlledby the stepwise position of said vertical position-locating means. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20) includes ahole-punching device and at least one type wheel for imprinting timeindicia.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20)includes a punch and matrix formed with a punch-receiving opening toprovide accurate positioning of a hole being punched in the card. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means stepwise adjusting theposition of said vertical position-locating means comprises a toothedrod (8) connected to an advancing said locating means in a verticaldirection; a pinion; and a ratchet interruptedly operating said pinion.5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the marking head (20) carriesa hole matrix; a punching stamp cooperating with said hole matrix forpunching said card, and electromagnetic means operated by said switch;and a mechanical interconnection interconnecting said electromagneticmeans and said punch.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidmeans locating the vertical position of said card in said card holdercomprises a horizontal rail (8) mounted for vertical displacement; andsaid means stepwise displacing said rail comprises a motor; cam meansdriven by said motor, pivotally mounted lever means cooperating withsaid cam means, a ratchet engaged by said lever means and a rack andpinion means driven by said ratchet in stepwise manner and connected tosaid rail to advance said rail, in steps, in a vertical direction.